The 30-year-old underwent a medical examination after the Belgian league game, which revealed a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee. Leye will undergo surgery and is expected to be out for seven to nine months, a blow as Zulte Waregem travel to APOEL FC on Thursday with their play-off at 1-1.

Coach Francky Dury, whose side exited the UEFA Champions League with a third qualifying round loss to PSV Eindhoven, said: "We immediately knew that it was bad. The first signs pointed to the cruciate ligament. This is a blow as well for him personally as for the club. I have supported him the best way possible. We shared fantastic moments together and now I also want to be there to literally support him. Obviously Leye is down now. He was our Drogba, he took the blows and took the young players by the hand."

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